Page 89 of Arresting the Warlord

Jake just shrugged.

Uncle Jesse asked, “Want me to eat him?”

“Not yet,” I replied.

General Jones interjected, “Did you know Aldo lived in Sun City until about six months ago.”

“What?”

“If I had known you still lived, I would have moved heaven and Earth to find you,” Aldo responded.

The knot in my stomach began to loosen. He was telling the truth. “When did you find out I was alive?”

“Two days ago. I was investigating rumors about Giovanni’s activities and discovered the files he had on you,” Aldo answered.

Jake demanded, “Do you know why he wanted CeeCee dead?”

“Even as a child she could look at a person’s aura and tell if they were lying. Giovanni was afraid when CeeCee grew older she would expose his murderous activities.

“His fears proved to be true,” Father said.

I snorted. “Just not the way he thought. I was tracking Jia, not him.”

“Jia Stanka?” Aldo was clearly surprised.

Jake traded glances with the General. “Do you know her?”

“Jia is a master thief who appropriated one of my prototypes. Despite my best efforts to retrieve it, I was unsuccessful. In my search of Giovanni’s files, I came across an interesting fact. Jia Stanka is Derek Jones’s daughter.”

“That explains her green eyes and red hair,” I exclaimed.

“Impossible,” the General barked.

“I have proof.”

The General gestured with his laser pistol. “Show us.”

“You do not need that. I am not your enemy.”

“Aren’t you?” Jake countered.

“My niece, Kizzy, is mated to Ethan Jones and you are my daughter’s mate. I would never harm them or you.”

I stared at my sperm donor’s aura. “He’s telling the truth.”

The General holstered his weapon. “Let’s see your evidence.”

Aldo walked over to a computer console and with a few keystrokes Jia’s files popped up. “DNA never lies.”

The General scanned the files, then quickly checked something on his bracelet. “The DNA matches. She’s Derek’s daughter all right.”

“Damn, how did that happen?” Jake asked.

I snickered. “The usual way. Insert tab A into slot B.”

“Is that how it works?” Jake brushed his lips over mine. “Maybe we could do a little show and tell later.”

“Children,” Father scolded.

---